PHOTOS: FRED GREAVES
Veteran landscape architect John Pruyn with High
West Landscape Architects has worked on a number of
roundabouts in the North Tahoe region, including at the
entrance to the Northstar recreation area and at the busy
intersections of Highway 89 and Interstate 80 and Pio-
neer Trail and Donner Pass Road. For the Pioneer Trail/
Donner Pass project, Pruyn teamed with Eastern Sierra
Engineering of Reno. One of the biggest challenges they
faced was to manage the site’s stormwater runoff. Pruyn
and ESE designed a low-impact development system uti-
lizing weirs (low dams) and swales (ditches) on the sides
of the road, which allowed the water to permeate into the
surrounding soil instead of running downstream.
“If a lot of runoff is allowed to go downstream, it over-
whelms the system and creates flooding,” Pruyn says. “So it
was really important to understand that and come up with a
solution that contains it.”
High West also was responsible for the plantings within
the paved area of the roundabout, as well as the periphery
areas leading in and out of it. Native grasses and forbs were
used to help stabilize the soils, and perennials were planted
for color and ornamental beauty. Mounding was added on
the center circle to accommodate a piece of art designed and
donated by local artist Troy Corliss.
The artwork, titled "Mountain Flowers," includes three
14-foot powder-coated steel flower sculptures. The giant
pieces add a whimsical element to the roundabout, which
serves as an entry point to the town. “We have so many won-
derful local artists here,” Pruyn says. “They’re looking to
display their work, and the town is looking to incorporate
it.” Truckee also is developing a Public Art Master Plan with
support from community stakeholders and the Truckee Arts
Alliance, which will consist of policies and programs that
guide the installation and funding of public art projects in
Truckee. The Pioneer Trail/Donner Pass project was awarded
in 2009 and completed in 2010.
May 2019 | comstocksmag.com
53